How Sweet the SoundSample

What a Friend we Have in Jesus

Relationships. Even the ones that stick, that stay, they’re complicated, aren’t they? We might have a couple of friends we feel comfortable talking to about our faith, another who has great advice on ways to fit exercise into our lives, yet another group of friends might be the parents’ on our kids’ sport team, and all things about the game can be discussed with them. There are a few friends who understand our work. But it’s rare that we find one friend we can go to with all these topics.

Who are your best friends? How many friends do you have that you could share everything with and know they would understand you? Have you ever lost a friendship or had a falling out with a family member? Who do you go to when you’re sad and excited and won the prize or lost your keys? Who do you talk about the grudge you’re working on letting go of and the learning disability one of your kids is struggling with? What about when that person doesn’t answer your calls or texts, fails you, leaves?

Joseph Scriven knew what it was like to lose the relationships he counted on. The night before his wedding, his fiancé drowned. Later, Joseph fell in love again. His new fiancé died of an illness before they ever walked down the aisle. In 1855 he wrote the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” interestingly not to comfort himself, but his mother. Are we weak and heavy-laden? Cumbered with a load of care? Precious, Savior, still our refuge.

I can’t imagine the anguish and loneliness Scriven felt. And, still, he knew Jesus was his refuge. Because Scriven learned that when we don’t know where else to go, when the things we want most are unspeakable, when the person we want to share with is unavailable, Jesus will always listen. We can take all our needs all of the time to our very best friend, Jesus, in prayer.

Jesus is the one who gently wakes us in the morning after providing us with the miracle of restorative sleep. He provides us with all our needs, stands by us always, and wants us to talk to Him, about, you guessed it, everything! Anything you would ask or share with your best friend or soul mate? Jesus wants you to talk it over with and communicate it with Him. As the song says, May we ever, Lord, be bringing ALL to Thee in earnest prayer.

Jesus is the best friend when we’re ten and as we enter adulthood, jobs, marriage, or raising a family. He’s our best friend when we’re healthy or sick, relaxed or stressed, energized or exhausted. Jesus never moves away, becomes distant, gives up on us, or lets us down. When Jesus appeared to the disciples after the resurrection He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Always. Even to the end. What a friend we have in Jesus.

Questions:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” (Matthew 28:20 NIV).

Have you ever lost a friend or felt lonely? How did that make you feel? Describe below:

How often do you turn to Jesus as your best friend?

What will you take to Jesus, in prayer this week? Why not start now—write out something you want to talk to Him about and then pray the words out loud every day this week.

*This devotion is taken from Laura L. Smith’s book How Sweet the Sound: The Power and Promise of 30 Beloved Hymns.

If you liked this reading plan, make sure to order your copy of the entire How Sweet the Sound book from Laura L. Smith here!